"I am a born Congressman": Karnataka Dy CM DK Shivakumar denies rumours of joining BJP-RSS

Bengaluru (Karnataka) [India], August 22 (ANI): Amid the row over reciting the RSS anthem in the Karnataka Assembly, Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar on Friday denied the speculations of joining hands with the BJP and RSS.
"I am a genuine Congressman. A Congressman by birth. I will remain a Congressman as long as I live. My life, my blood is all for Congress. I am now leading the party. I will stand as its pillar," Dy CM DK Shivakumar said firmly while responding to media queries at Vidhana Soudha.
When asked if there is a discussion about joining hands with the BJP and RSS, Shivakumar replied, "I have no intention of joining hands with them in any way, directly or indirectly. I am a genuine Congressman. I am doing research on the Janata Dal and the BJP. I have also learned about RSS."
He added that RSS is investing in building educational institutions in every district of the state.
"I have done my own research on every political party. I know how the RSS built its organisation in the state. The RSS is taking educational institutions under its wing everywhere, including every taluk and district. It is investing a lot of money. It is working to reach out to children," he said.
On reciting the RSS anthem in the Assembly, Shivakumar said that one should notice "good qualities" in others.
"Politically, we may have differences. As a political person, don't I need to know who are my friends and who are my enemies among my political opponents? That is why I have learned the history of the RSS. In some cases, there are some good qualities in some organisations. Shouldn't we also notice them? It is our nature to speak directly and boldly. We should notice the good qualities in others, and that is what we have done," he told the reporters.
"Each of you (media) also has a quality. There is a quality that slips when you try to catch it. There is also a good quality. Shouldn't we notice them?" he added.
When asked about the BJP's Dharmasthala Yatra, he said, "BJP is a customer of this. What they are doing is politics. The investigation team, led by senior officer Mohanty, is doing its job neatly."
Amidst a debate over the M Chinnaswamy Stadium stampede in the Karnataka Assembly on Thursday, Dy CM DK Shivakumar broke into the RSS anthem during his exchange of words with BJP MLA R Ashoka.
Meanwhile, defending BJP National General Secretary BL Santosh against the allegations by Timarodi, he said that the allegations should be based on evidence.
Shivakumar said, "The person who made allegations against BJP National General Secretary BL Santosh (Mahesh Shetty Timarodi) has been kicked out and put inside. What record does he have to make allegations? We may have a lot of political differences, but we are not happy that he talks about our opponents."
"Those who spoke about him today will also talk about us tomorrow. In the past, false allegations have been made against the Chief Minister and me. We should work so that no one's self-respect is hurt in this state. Let's do politics, let's make political allegations. But let's make allegations based on evidence," he said.
When asked about the demand of the like-minded forum that the hundi money collected in Dharmasthala should be accounted for, he said, "The Income Tax Department is there to look into this." (ANI)